I hope that nobody minds that I'm creating a special edition of a GDT for this one.

I see this game as being close to a playoff game in terms of the hype and media circus that will surround it. Mats Sundin returns home to Hogtown in what will either be a lovefest or a public execution. Will the hockey mad (or is it "hockey neurotic") center of the universe welcome back their prodigal son, or will he be reviled for abandoning them when they were 'on the verge of winning a Cup'

The team is on a roll and this game will be the best opportunity to prove the eastern biased press that they are a contender. They have to be up for this one. Sundin has to be up for this one. Whatever happens, it will be interesting to see how the team reacts to being under the magnifying glass.

So far this month, the Leafs are 2-3-3 compared to our 7-1. Their PK and GA are worst in the league. Their shootout record is the same as ours. Is Luongo back to form? .926 in his last two game might indicate yes!

One of the things thats frustrating about this matchup... is its on Saturday night.. which for some reason the leafs seem to play well. But this is definetly a game that the canucks have to win if they expect to make and stay in the playoff race. This team won't be able to either make the playoffs or do anything in the playoffs if we can't put away teams that aren't doing well. I think they have been playing very well though and don't expect things to change tonight. I'm looking for Captain Lu to build on his last two performances and Mats to have a multi-point night for a canucks win.

Thank God the Sundin thing is done and he can get his head back into winning two points for his team.

Give the Laffs credit, they came to play tonight, though they seem to play well on Saturdays of late. Their sticks are active tonight and the boys didn't get much free time with the puck in the 1st. The boys just have to work on quick, simple breakouts and then making simple plays in the offensive zone.

Sucks down 1-0 but if they can just get their breakouts working, they should do fine. If someone can smash Blake's head into the boards, that wouldn't hurt either.

The boys didn't play very well tonight but give the Leafs credit for a pretty strong performance.Both goalies played very well with the exception of Lou on the second goal. He's still not 100% in the groove.Gotta love Mats getting the winner in the shootout...and making it look easy!